[UPDATES] Water Main Break Snarls Morning L Train, Plus Bonus Problems On Other Lines
Jan. 23, 2019, 9 a.m.
A water main break in Chelsea has partially flooded the L train station at 8th Avenue, causing the partial suspension of L train service during the Wednesday morning rush.
A water main break in Chelsea has partially flooded the L train station at 8th Avenue, causing the partial suspension of L train service during the Wednesday morning rush. As of 8:50 a.m., limited L service has resumed, but with extensive delays—the MTA says "all 8 Av-bound L trains will end at 14 St-Union Square. L Subway trains in both directions will operate at reduced frequencies." Here's video of what we're dealing with here:
Here's a video we took of the broken water main earlier this morning. Water is no longer pouring into the tunnel, but many of our switches, motors and signals are submerged. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/vX5Db0PaFH
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
15th Street is currently closed between 6th and 8th Avenues as workers scramble to fix the water main break. Con Ed, the NYPD and the DEP are on the scene. As of 8:40 a.m., workers could be seen tearing up 7th Avenue with jackhammers.
Service between 8th Avenue and Union Square is suspended until further notice while transit workers inspect the damage and make necessary repairs. (Don't worry; Cuomo will no doubt take a tour of the station today and come up with a quick fix, like turning the L into a flume ride? Anyone ever think of that?)
Update: Manhattan-bound L trains are now running approximately every 6 minutes, and are continuing to end at 14 St-Union Square.
Our crews are clearing debris from the tracks; new stop motors are also being delivered to the affected area and will be installed where needed. pic.twitter.com/izOljHzmoq— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
Update: Manhattan-bound L trains are running approximately every 8 minutes and ending at 14 St-Union Square.
Our crews are on site and pumping water out from the submerged tracks. NYPD is working to keep the M14 bus moving as smoothly as possible along 14th Street. pic.twitter.com/FPu7hcEVFV— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
In other Hump Day subway news, southbound 1 trains have been delayed "because of a switch problem in the 240 St Yard," northbound D trains were delayed "because a train's brakes were automatically activated at 161 St-Yankee Stadium," and a signal malfunction at West 4th Street caused delays on the A, C, and E lines.
Oh and earlier there were "extensive delays in A B C D F and M trains in both directions because of an earlier NYPD investigation of an unauthorized person on the tracks at 42 St-Bryant Park."
Update: NYPD has removed the unauthorized person from the tracks and we are in the process of restoring power. We expect regular service to resume with delays shortly.
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
NYCT Transit President Andy Byford announced that it will take about four to six hours to fix the water main break. In the meantime, M14 buses are providing service between Union Square and 8th Avenue. We'll update this post as more information becomes available.
UPDATE: Sanitation Department workers were seen spreading salt on streets affected by the water main break:
.@NYCSanitation bringing in salt trucks to deal with water from that #watermain freezing. @MTA workers are putting down sand. #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/ntN4xL1cbm
— Samantha Liebman (@SamiLiebman) January 23, 2019
UPDATE: Speaking to reporters at Union Square this morning, Byford stressed that the cause of this morning's problem "had nothing to do with subway infrastructure."
Transit authority chief Andy Byford explains why “L” train service was suspended this morning. The water main break sent gallons of water into the subway damaging electrical equipment. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/QPLEw7SC7q
— Marla Diamond (@MDiamond8) January 23, 2019
At 12:11 p.m., the MTA announced that regular L train service had resumed, with residual delays.
L train service has resumed regular service between 8 Av and Canarsie Rockaway Pkwy after our crews repaired damage caused by a street-level water main break.
Expect residual delays as service normalizes. Thank you for your patience.— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
Reporting by Jen Chung.
